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Lending Program Gives Helping Hand to Small Entrepreneurs Struggling to Finance Work in Mobile and Wireless Space

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), the organization driving development of Bluetooth® wireless technology and bringing it to market, has launched a global, microfinance charity initiative called Sharing4Caring that will help small entrepreneurs gain access to low-cost financing.

Bluetooth wireless technology is all about connecting people to each other. Actively contributing to connecting people by lending seed money to small, third-world entrepreneurs will help to give a voice and a face to the world’s poorest, and a practical, viable pathway to improve their existence.

The Bluetooth SIG endeavors to attract large numbers of people worldwide to lend a hand to such entrepreneurs by pledging SIG funds via its website to raise the microfinancing for this initiative. The group has appointed person-to-entrepreneur microlending specialist Kiva as its partner.

Starting today, visitors to Bluetooth.com/sharing4caring can, with just one click, help people all over the world make great strides towards economic independence and improve life for themselves, their family, and their community.

Each time a visitor pushes the “Help Us to Share” button, $1 USD will be added to the Sharing4Caring counter. A Facebook notification that confirms participation in the Sharing4Caring project will be posted automatically in the participant’s mini-feed after clicking the “Connect with Facebook” button. Participants can then help spread the word about their good deed through Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

The SIG plans to pledge a minimum of $10,000 USD for lending, and if visitor response is strong an additional $15,000 USD will be added. The SIG has set an initial goal of lending the first $10,000 USD in ten days. As each $1,000 US is pledged, the Bluetooth SIG will select and lend the money to an entrepreneur via Kiva.

Each successful entrepreneur’s story will be published on Bluetooth.com, allowing donors to follow the progress of the business. Once the money has been repaid, Bluetooth SIG will donate the money repaid to Kiva.

“Bluetooth wireless technology is all about sharing: sharing information, sharing music, sharing pictures,” said Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director of the Bluetooth SIG, and the person behind the Sharing4Caring initiative. "It enables people to share in a quick and efficient way, improving the quality of their lives.”

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), the organization driving development of Bluetooth® wireless technology and bringing it to market, has launched a global, microfinance charity initiative called Sharing4Caring that will help small entrepreneurs gain access to low-cost financing.
Bluetooth wireless technology is all about connecting people to each other....